Bar carts truly make me so happy. They’re darling and usually filled with fun things. You can use it for what it’s intended for, a rolling cart filled with necessities for cheerful cocktails, or put it to work as a coffee cart, night stand, toiletry cart, the possibilities are endless. When styling a bar cart, I have found there are 6 must-haves and everything else icing on the cake.

Number 1:

Whether it’s a pretty vase with fresh cut flowers, a cute pot with textured succulents, a green wreath hanging above or even a bowl of lemons and limes. Adding a living element to your bar cart keeps it feeling fresh and bright.

Number 2:

Adding light to the bar cart shows your guests it’s open for business and everyone’s welcome to stop over for a drink. Plus having a candle, or a pretty lamp, or dangling chandelier above makes all the pretty bottles and glasses sparkle in the evening.

Number 3:

A rectangular or square piece of art hanging behind the cart, or a darling framed piece on the cart helps add a different shape and size to the cart. Since most of the bottles and glasses will most likely be round adding a square or rectangle helps balance the other elements. Even a stack of cool coffee table books could be your art element.

Number 4:

Can’t forget the guest of honor of course, the bottles that allow the bar cart to do its job. Of course you’re welcome to stock the cart with the beverages you know you love, but what’s more fun than looking for unique and creative bottles in special shapes and well-designed labels.

Number 5:

I like to keep it simple, and for lack of space, with two maybe three styles of glassware. A good rule of thumb is 4 glasses of each style; you can always have a backup tray of additional glasses nearby. A champagne flute or tall wine glass, a highball and a lowball is all you need. If you have it, a coupe glass is always darling too.

Number 6:

Stirrers, olive picks, straws, a shaker, an ice bucket, any of these will do. Pick your favorite tool based on look or what you know you’ll use. These are just fun accessories to add to your cart of fun.

-Susie

Sources:
fresh flowers // elle decor
art // girlbybay
bottles // carlaaston
light // lushhome
glassware // potterybarn
tools // coveteur

I have three beautiful girls all who have lived in many cities across the country in their adult lives. For the last almost two years, my second daughter, Katie and her sweet family, has been living in Austin, Texas. Boy I never thought one of my children would live in my home state, but I sure love it. Visiting Austin could not be more fun. The sprawling city, the culture, the people, the tacos, the sun, outdoor activities, the tacos, the new bar, restaurant or boutique popping up on every corner, did I mention the tacos? It’s quite the place. Here are a few of the favorite places Katie has introduced me to in the last couple of years that you should be sure not to miss on your next trip.

Here are some of my favorites:

For breakfast go to Josephine House in Austin’s historic Clarksville neighborhood. Enjoy fresh juices and house made pastries on the front lawn or cozy patio of this charming cottage. Inside you’ll find an adorable marble bar for coffee or cocktails and an intimate dining room serving up the best Huevos Rancheros in town. The space is so inviting, you’ll want to stay for lunch and dinner.

For an entirely different (but equally magical) experience head to Springdale Farm in the eclectic East Austin neighborhood. Breakfast is served Saturday 9-1 at the Eden East trailer located on the farm’s property. Enjoy Shrimp & Grits or a Fried Egg Sandwich while the chickens cluck nearby. And don’t forget to stop by the farm stand to pick up the freshest eggs and produce in the city.

Dai Due, another East Austin gem, is an old-school style butcher shop and restaurant serving exclusively Texas-sourced grilled meats, cheeses, fresh seafood, & vegetables. Their constantly changing dinner menu offers a mouth-watering a la carte selection or (my personal favorite) the Supper Club option, which is always incredible and requires no decision making whatsoever.

Tacos and BBQ are everything in Austin. The options are endless, but here are a few great ones. For locally sourced and organic tacos, go to the beloved Tacodeli (multiple locations). You can’t go wrong with any of the tacos but don’t skip their signature salsa, Salsa Dona. With homemade tortillas and chips made by two sisters from Mexico, Veracruz All Natural serves up some of the most authentic and fresh tacos in town. The wait times for BBQ are alarming. If you don’t have 4 hours to wait in line, head to Freedman’s for outstanding brisket, pork spare ribs or house-made sausage. Enjoy all while relaxing with a cocktail in the beer garden of an historic building on UT’s campus.

You can’t visit ATX and not enjoy the 10 miles of hike and bike trails bordering Lady Bird Lake in the heart of downtown Austin. Along this urban path you’ll discover everything from charming bridges and lookout points to lively off-leash dog parks, lush greenery, skyscrapers and a diverse group of people.

For the best views of downtown and Lake Austin, head to Mount Bonnell where you will take a short hike to enjoy the stunning views. Head back down the hill to Mayfield Park and Preserve where you’ll find a lovely historic cottage and peacocks roaming 2 acres of colorful gardens and ponds.

Austin’s miles of scenic hike and bike trails give you good reason to purchase new activewear. Tucked in a Clarksville bungalow, Outdoor Voices is the place to find unbelievably soft leggings, tees, tanks, and hoodies in an ever-changing array of colors & prints. An Austin original with a cult following AND, with only two shops in the country (the other in NYC), this is a stop you won’t want to miss.

Take Heart in East Austin offers a carefully edited collection of inspiring home and personal objects designed primarily by local and US artists. Inside this quaint shop, you’ll find beautiful kitchen and home accessories, sweet cards and prints, and precious jewelry.

South Congress is home to a brilliant mix of shops and restaurants. Begin your walk with a cocktail in the courtyard at Hotel San José. Next, stop into ByGeorge – a fashion and lifestyle store featuring contemporary and emerging apparel brands along with a great selection of home goods, gifts & books. Uncommon Objects, an antique and vintage store, is definitely worth a (long) visit. Finish up at the minimalist-chic South Congress Hotel where you can get a non-toxic mani/pedi at tenoverten, shop independent designers at women’s clothing boutique Sunroom, and have a West-Coast inspired lunch at Café No Sé.

-Susie

Sources:
daidue.com
destination360.com
fashionista.com
josephineofaustin.com
solotripsandtips.com
Springdale Farm Instagram
stateimpact.npr.org
tideandbloom.wordpress.com

A front door is the first thing people see when they approach your house and, in some cases, it is the only thing they see, so you want it to look good. Take a moment, step back in your yard and imagine what you could do to just your front door. Transforming your front door and walkway might be all you need to feel better about the outside of your home.

I always love the contrast between black and white. You can’t go wrong with white trim and rich black accents. What’s even more spectacular here is taking out the same old, plain old wood windowless door and letting some light shine in. The windowpanes on this cool black door are incredibly chic, plus they’ll help completely brighten up your entry. It is of course; the first place guests step foot when they enter your home, why not make it beautiful.

If you’re working with a red/brown brick house a fantastic door color choice is this bold royal blue. I love the way the creamy white trim gives depth to the door and windows. And old marble stairs? How cool is that. A dark blue door can also work with a white house and even shades of taupe.

Well this just screams happiness. How fun to walk up to your home every day and open up this piece of joy. The gold hardware is outstanding! Pink would look amazing with many shades of exterior: gray, white, creamy white, taupe.

And if hot pink isn’t your thing, what about a softer shade of pink? Just lovely.

If you’re not ready to commit to a new front door, or a fresh coat of paint, explore your landscaping options. Sweeping colorful trees or just big beautiful greens in pots could make all the difference in the curb appeal you’re looking for. Talk to your local nursery to find out what will grow well with some shade if you have it and not completely take over your entrance.

Ever notice how all of the flats in London look so spectacular? Here’s the secret, the shiny black front door. It really works with just about every color, texture and shape of exterior house. Before you know it, the whole block will be painting their doors shiny black after they see yours.

-Susie

Sources:
BLACK AND WHITE // 40cg.com
RED BRICK AND BLUE DOORS // victoriaelizabethbarnes.com
HOT PINK HAPPINESS // pinterest.com + instawebgram.com
FLOWERS ARE THE ANSWER // homeadore.com + vintagerosegarden.tumblr.com
LONDON CALLING // sageandthistlephotography.com